Polar-silver or diamond-black, painted or polished, V-spokes or cross-spokes: the massive range of wheel options makes for endlessly individual designs. In the search for a suitable alloy wheel, the characteristics of drivers and their cars are often what determines the final choice of wheel. Elegant, sporty, or perhaps unconventional: different wheel designs make very different statements.
We’re here to explain what different wheel styles are available and what qualities make the individual looks stand out.
Versatility through color
Do you prefer wheels in a cool polar-silver, sophisticated diamond-black, or distinctive metal-grey? Different color variations underscore not only the wheel itself differently, but also the entire car. An expressive color like titanium can suddenly reveal athletic traits on a wheel with a delicate design language, for instance.
A finish for any taste
Consistent paintwork does more than just visually enhance wheels. It protects the material from external influence, making it more resilient. A primer, paint sealant, and clear varnish are sprayed on during production.
Polished alloy wheels turn heads with their exquisite workmanship. The processing on individual areas can highlight different characteristics of an alloy wheel. In diamond cut processing, a diamond tool goes over the surface of a dark painted wheel. The tool removes the paint in places, allowing the metal to shine through.
Front polished wheels are eye-catchers thanks to their bright spokes. Alloy wheels with polished lips, on the other hand, feature a polished rim flange that visually frames the wheel.
The design language of spokes
In addition to color finishes, there is a vast range of different spoke styles. The variations are as manifold as the designers who create them.
The number of spokes per wheel varies widely, with designs featuring five, six, or eight spokes. The arrangement of the spokes also impacts the wheel’s style. In the case of double spokes, pairs of spokes are arranged roughly parallel to one another. V-spokes run in V-shaped pairs from the middle of the wheel to the rim flange. Both variants usually have a maximum of ten spokes. This doesn’t apply to cross-spokes, however. Individual spokes intersect in all kinds of patterns – the multitude of spokes serves as a design basis here.
The design determines the style. Those who prefer a sporty look should focus on wheels with a higher number of spokes. With their delicate shapes, these wheels can appear either sophisticated or athletic depending on the design. V-spokes reflect dynamism and power, while asymmetrical double-spokes look especially intriguing. Paired with different combinations of paintwork and polishing, the design can highlight strikingly different aspects of a car.
If you’d like to see how different wheel designs look on your own car, you can use the RIAL Wheel Configurator to do just that. Simply select your car model and get inspired!